Topinka, Madigan, White all winners in state races

Republicans were poised to take over two state offices on Tuesday, possibly clearing the way for a merger of the positions.

Judy Baar Topinka overcome a slow start on Tuesday to win the race for Illinois comptroller.

Topinka, who ran unsuccessfully against Rod Blagojevich for governor four years ago, received 1,793,558 votes Tuesday, or 53 percent of the total number cast, with 94.4 percent of precincts reporting. Democrat David E. Miller came in second in the race, with 1,381,531 votes, or 40.7 percent of the total. (All vote totals are unofficial.)

Two other candidates, the Green Party's R. Erika Schafer and Libertarian Julie Fox, came in a distant third and fourth in the race.

Republican Dan Rutherford, meanwhile, led a slightly closer race Tuesday for Illinois treasurer. With 94.3 percent of precincts in, Rutherford had 1,680,624 votes, or 49.8 percent, while Democrat Robin Kelly, the chief of staff for sitting Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, had 1,522,335 votes, or 45.1 percent. The Green Party's Scott K. Summers and Libertarian James Pauly rounded out the field of candidates.

A key question in those two races was whether the offices of treasurer and comptroller should be consolidated to save money. Topinka and Rutherford both support the idea, estimating that it will save Illinois taxpayers $12 million.

In other races, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White retained their posts easily on Tuesday.

Madigan, a Democrat who became the state's first female attorney general in 2003, earned 2,221,179 votes, or 64.7 percent of the total, with 94.4 percent of precincts reporting. Her closest competitor was Republican Steve Kim, who had 1,086,459 votes, or 31.6 percent of the total. She also defeated Green Party candidate David Black and Libertarian Bill Malan.

Madigan, whose name has come up as a possible candidate for mayor of Chicago, said she will continue to fight political corruption and protecting the public trust.

White, a Democrat running for his fourth term, earned 2,399,248 votes Tuesday, or 69.9 percent of the total, with 94.4 percent of precincts in. The 76-year-old said this will be his last in public office, capping a 34-year career in state politics that included stints as a state representative and Cook County Recorder of Deeds.